This course is designed as a special topics course within the new neuroscience major that focuses on developing an understanding of common diseases affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS), such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, epilepsy, etc.) For each of the CNS disorders surveyed (which will vary from year to year), an emphasis will be placed on framing the symptoms and etiology of the disease within the context of the normal neuronal function at the anatomical, cellular and molecular levels. Where feasible, lectures will be supplemented with presentations by clinicians with expertise in the field. Students will also develop an appreciation for the linkages between basic and translational research in neurological diseases as well as the importance of disease models in the development of new therapies.